Government officials and stakeholders Tuesday met to map how the Diaspora can be integrated into the nation’s development plans.

According to Robert Masozera, the Director General in charge of the Diaspora at the Ministry ofForeign Affairs and Cooperation, the meeting aimed at drafting a policy paper to help government mobilize and coordinate the activities of the Diaspora.

"That was a consultative meeting to brain storm, to exchange ideas, views and opinions on how government can mobilize and coordinate the Rwandan Diaspora activities and initiatives,” Masozera told The New Times on phone yesterday.

"We were drafting a draft policy paper so that ideas from different stakeholders can be included,” he added, saying that this was the second meeting following an earlier one in July.

Masozera also underscored that to a certain extent much has been achieved, but was quick to point out that the document being considered was still a draft since views were still being collected and incorporated.

"We have gathered a lot of views and ideas from the stakeholders,” he said, explaining that stakeholders included the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) and the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA), which has a significant edge given the social and economic development of the country.

"Our mission is to mobilize and coordinate the work of all Diaspora activities,” Masozera stressed, adding that this included doing advocacy for the Diaspora’s different interests, especially in backing them in services such as housing schemes back home, among others.

Present were several other relevant government departments and the business sector like banks.

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